Reciprocating motor device for rotating a shaft



Oct. 23, 1956 J. G. RUCKELSHAUS RECIPROCATING MOTOR DEVICE FOR ROTATINGA SHAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 JNVENTOR. JOHNGIXUC/(ELS/MUS ATTO Oct. 23, 1956 J. G- RUCKELSHAUS 2,768,314

RECIPROCATING MOTOR osvxca FOR ROTATING A SHAFT Filed Aug. 14, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 2 7 JNVENTOR. n V uohw c. EUCKELSH/WS "*4? BY -48 M4 ?MA-ATTOK/VE) Oct. 23, 1956 .1. 3. RUCKELSHAUS 2,768,314

RECIPROCATING MOTOR DEVICE FOR ROTATING A SHAFT Filed Aug. 14, 1950 5Sheets-Sheet 3 RECTIFIER F g JOHN G. fil /$1 222 522 05 W? MM UnitedStates Patent O RECIPROCATING MOTOR DEVICE FOR ROTATING A SHAFT John G.Ruckelshaus, Madison, N. J. Application August 14, 1950, Serial No.179,115 19 Claims. (Cl. 3310-44) This invention relates to areciprocating motor device for rotating a shaft and more particularly toan electrically operated actuating mechanism for rotating shafts and thelike, such as used in fire control mechanisms, radio, radar, range anddirection finders, television, and the like.

The present invention is a continuation, in part, of my inventiondescribed, shown and claimed in my co-pending application Serial Number55,779, filed October 21, 1948, entitled Drive Mechanism and issued asPatent No. 2,682,175, dated June 29, 1954.

An object of my invention .is to provide a device for imparting rotarymovement to shafts, antennas, or the like, in either rotary direction.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electrically operateddevice for rotating shafts through selected angles by imparting to saidshafts a succession of smooth and rapid impulses.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an economically made,easily assembled, eflicient, electrically operated mechanism forimparting a succession of desired rapid short or long impulses to areceiving shaft to rotate the same in a clockwise or counter-clockwisedirection.

One further object of my invention is to provide an impulse impartingmechanism operated either by A. C. or D. C. current for producing rapidshort .impulses, or slow long impulses for rotating through any desireddegree a shaft or like powered unit.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide an energizableclutch mechanism and a circuit in combination therewith, utilizingeither A. C. or D. C. current or selectively effecting short rapidimpulses or long relatively slow impulses to rotate a shaft or similarpowered unit.

Still another and more specific object of my invention is to provide ashaft rota-tor by means of which there is transmitted a series ofsuccessive impulses to a shaft or like unit to rotate the same clockwiseor counter-clockwise.

Other objects and advantageous features of my invention will becomeapparent from the herein following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, .in which:

Fig. l is an elevational, fragmental, partly broken away view of apreferred embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 22, 3--3 and 44,respectively, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the actuating mechanism takenon line 6-6 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a front sectional, partly broken away view of the actuatingmechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic or schematic view of the circuit forming partof the embodiment; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a control mechanism forming part of theembodiment of my invention.

' noted that said shaft is provided In my previously filed, hereinaboveindicated, application, it will be noted that I provide an electricallyoperated clutch device containing energizing means adapted to cause aseries of rapid oscillatory movements which are transmitted by variousmeans in said device to a shaft so as to move the same in any desiredrotary direction. By my present invention I have improved upon saiddevice so as to produce the desired rotary movement of shafts of anytype or character in a much simpler manner than that described in mypreviously filed application.

Referring now to the drawings in which similar reference charactersdenote like parts throughout, I provide an actuating mechanism 10,having a base or supporting member 11, and a cover 12 fixed thereto inany suitable manner, as will be hereinafter described more fully. Saidbase 11 .is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending V-shapedmembers 13 and are integral with the support and are spaced relativelyof each other. Adapted to enact with said members and paired therewithis a plurality of V-shaped brackets 14, relatively adjustable withrespect to support or base 11 by means of adjustable lugs 15 formingclamps for mounting device 10 onto a mast or shaft 16, as shown moreclearly in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawing.

Said support 11 is provided with a floor spaced electro-magnetic coils13 and 19 whose yokes 20 and 21, respectively, are fixed to said member11 in any suitable manner, such as shown more specifically in Fig. 6.Extending through said coils 18 and 19 is an energizable core orarmature shaft 22 provided with a pair of opposed terminal core members23 and 24, each of which is adapted to slide in and out of therespective coils when either of said coils is energized. It will be witha pair of spaced stop pins 25 and 26. Pin 25 is shorter than pin 26 andeach of the pins is adapted to form abutting contact with a clutch orspring member 27. Furthermore, pin 26 because of its length extendsthrough slot 26a in floor 17 and is adapted to prevent the shaft fromturning during energization of the coils 18 and 19. Said pins, asindicated above, are adapted to form contact with spring 27 and areintended to prevent the slipping or sliding of said spring which, asshown, is curled around an actuable shaft 28. It will be noted that saidshaft 28 is disposed at right angles to said first shaft 22 and extendthrough a bushing 29 mounted on to the floor 17 of the base member 11.Said latter shaft 21;, it will be noted, extends through said bushing inthe bottom of said housing and is cut to form a helical gear 39, asshown, which is in mesh with gear 31 which in turn is fixed by means ofpinion 32 on to a rotary shaft 33. The end 34 'of shaft 28 is fittedinto bushing or bearing 35 mounted in a recess 36 of the base member 11.

In order to prevent any creepage of said shaft 28 in said base 11, thereis provided a tensio-ned spring plate 37, having a curved portion 38pressing against the free end of said shaft 28. Said spring plate 37 isheld against the end of the shaft by means of spaced stud members 39 and44 respectively, extending from the floor 17 of said support 11 and heldin position relatively therewith by means of nut members 41 and 42,respectively. It will be noted that the tension of said spring 37 can beadjusted by setting nut members 41 and 42 at any desired distance on theupper threaded portion of said studs.

Said clutch or spring member 27, it will be noted, is curled around gearshaft 28 in such a manner as to hug the same and permit movement of saidshaft without, however, impeding any return or oscillating movement onthe part of the spring when it is being used. Said spring 27,furthermore, is so made that it is provided with terminal portions 43and 44, respectively,

17 having I 17 and held in relatively fixed position therewith by meansof washer and set screws 47 and 48, respectively. The upper portion ofsaid spring plate is free and can be moved either to the right or to theleft of its longitutlinal axis by the fold 43 or 44 of spring 27depending upon which of said coils 18 or 19 is energized. When saidshaft 22 is energized, it will be carried toward either coil 18 or 19depending on which of them is conducting electric current. If, forexample, coil 19 is energized, core 24 is drawn thereinto whereby pin 25makes contact with end 43 of spring 27 which, in turn, is impeded in itslongitudinal movement by spring 45. At the same time the movement istaking place, spring 27 coiled around shaft 28 will tighten and rotateit in a counter-clockwise direction. Once the tension of spring 27around shaft 28 is released, said shaft is held rigidly by means of adetent clamp or brake member 45a fixed in any suitable manner to bracketsupport 46. Said detent prevents the return movement of shaft 28 afterit has been actuated by spring 27.

Underneath said floor 17 is mounted stop means 49 having a flexibleextension 49a forming a signal light switch when in contact with a pin50 extending perpendicularly from the face of gear wheel 31 for openingand closing respective circuits, as will be hereinafter more clearlydescribed and as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.Said rotatable shaft 33, it will be noted, extends upwardly from thelower end of said base 11, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 6, andis provided with a reduced terminal portion 51 on to which is seated aconcentric collar 52 provided with a plurality of spaced openings 53 forholding set screws 54. Said concentric collar 52 is adapted toaccommodate therein the terminal portion of a shaft such as an antennashaft 55 being retained in relatively vertical position with respect tomast 16 by said clamps 56 and 57. Said clamps are held together againstsaid mast 16 and shaft 55 by means of bolt 58. It will be further notedthat a portion of said clamp is provided with a bushing 59 to permitrotation therein of said antenna shaft 55.

Actuating mechanism or device is connected to a circuit schematicallyshown in Fig. 9, and is operated from the control box 69, as shown inFig. 10, and usually installed near the television set or near theoperator. In the operation of the device when button 61 of rocker arm 62is depressed, contact spring 63 connects coil 18 to transformer 64through contacts 65 and 66 on line 67 and 67a thus making coil 18oscillate on 60 cycle A. C. and actuate spring clutch 27 on shaft 28 soas to rotate said shaft in one direction, slowly, due to the short butrapid impulses in the coil while operating on 60 cycles. By pressingbutton 61 much harder, bump 68 on the rocker 62 contacts spring member63 thereby opening contact 65 and allows a current to flow throughrectifier 69 in control box 60. It will be noted that said rectifier 69is normally shorted out of circuit when spring 63, contacts 65 and 66are all connected together. When said rectifier is placed in circuit,coil 18 oscillates on pulsating direct current at 30 cycles and allowsarmature 22 to move more slowly, and at the same time, much further thanwhen the alternating current is used. This action at 30 cycles givesclutch member 27 more motion and revolves shaft 28 much faster.

By pressing button 70, the same action with respect :to coil 19 isobtained for reverse actuating direction of clutch 27 and movement ofshaft 28. The current in 4 this case goes through spring 63, contacts 71and 72 via lines 73 and 73a.

In the control box 66 with transformer 64 and switch spring 63 is apilot light 74 or an indicator, not shown, having a movable pointer andwhich could be substituted for a pilot light as shown in Fig. 10. Light74 is normally on until pin 50 touches either contact 76 causing it toopen either contact 77 in one direction or contact '78 in the otherdirection, depending on whether coil 18 or 19 is energized. Each timethe circuit is closed, the light goes on or the indicator 75 moves untilpin 50 on gear 31 rotates into position where it forces contacts 76 and77 to open when coil 18 is being actuated or contacts 76 and 78 to openwhen coil 19 is actuated. When these switch contacts 76 and 77 or 76 and7?; open, the respective coil, being actuated, is turned off and pilotlight 74 goes out or indicator 75 moves to end position. This'warns theoperator that rotator has reached the end of its rotation and to pressthe other button 61 to reverse the rotation of shaft 28. Resistor 79across light 74 or indicator 75 provides the voltage to light the pilotlight or move the indicator. Wires 67, 73, and contact 76 are generallyin the form of a three wire cable running from rotator to control boxnear the TV set. Transformer 64 is used to meet Underwriters requirementthat not over 24 volts can be run up the mast unless installed with BXcable by an electrician.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that I provide by my invention adevice for varying and delivering rapid impulses, particularly in highfrequency waves which can actuate .any type of mechanism requiringselective control for rotary movement from a slight to a great change.Furthermore, the rotary movement can be imparted in a clock orcounter-clockwise direction. Also, the rectifier in the device allowsthe armature to go slow and give greater power to the device foractuating shafts.

While a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that modification as to form,arrangement of parts and use of materials may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for rotating shafts and the like comprising a rotatableelement, tensionable clutch means in connection with and surrounding apart of the rotatable element adapted to grip and actuate the same toapply torque thereto, electro response energizable means in connectionwith the clutch means for operating the same, stop means for contactingthe clutch means and limiting the movement of the clutch means, andmeans for shifting the gripping of the clutch means to permit rotationof said rotatable element in a desired rotary direction.

2. Apparatus for rotating a shaft comprising spring clutch means inconnection with and for gripping said shaft and applying torque thereto,stop means in operable connection with the first named means,reciprocable energizable means adapted to actuate the second means forpermitting alternate contacting of the spring clutch means foralternately gripping and loosening said clutch on said shaft operatingsaid shaft, a brake member for said shaft for holding the same when notactuated by the clutch and tension means adapted to set up oscillatingcontact with the second named means and deliver impulses to the shafttherethrough.

3. Electrically operated apparatus for transmitting a succession ofrapid rotational impulses to a shaft and the like, comprising operablemeans in connection with said shaft, gripping means surrounding theoperable means for rotating the same, a reciprocable member foroperating said gripping means to produce a clamping and rotationalaction on the operable means, energizable means for said reciprocablemember adapted upon actuation thereof to impart a rapid succession ofimpulses to the surrounding means, a detent member for said operablemeans to fix the same when not operated by said gripping means, and anelectrical circuit in connection with the energizable means adapted toselectively operate the same to produce desired rotation of said shaftin either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

4. In an electrical device, a rotatable element, a support for saidelement, tensionable clutch means for gripping and transmitting rotarymotion to said element, said clutch means being adapted to alternatelybecome loose and tight around said element energizable means fordelivering impulses to said clutch means to clamp and produce rotarymotion to said element, and means for shifting said first named meansfrom one rotary direction to another.

5. In an electrical device, a rotatable shaft element, a base supportfor said element, tensionable spring clutch means surrounding saidelement for gripping and transmitting rotary motion to said element whensaid clutch is under tension, energizable means for delivering impulsesto said clutch means to produce rotary motion to said element, brakingmeans for said element for rigidly positioning the same when not rotatedand electric circuit means for shifting said first named means from onerotary direction to another.

6. A shaft rotator comprising a base member, means extending from saidbase for mounting the same, covering means for said base member, arotatable shaft in the base member, two-way vibratory means mounted onthe base consisting of a plurality of solenoids, an armature and two waytensionable clutch means on said armature, said clutch means whenactuated gripping said shaft, brake means for the shaft, and electriccircuit means whereby when one of the solenoids is energized, saidvibratory means turns the shaft in one direction, and when the othersolenoid is energized, the vibratory means turns the shaft in anotherdirection, said vibratory means transmitting a series of successive,continuous impulses to provide an even rotary motion to said shaft.

7. A rotator according to claim 6 in which the shaft is provided withgear means for imparting rotational energy to a shaft.

8. A rotator according to claim 6 provided with electrical control meansin connection with the shaft for selectively rotating the shaft in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction, said control means comprising atwo-way circuit, contacting means for the circuit, a rectifier, atransformer, and a resistor in said circuit, said means being adapted toshow the desired completed rotation of said shaft in either direction.

9. The combination for actuating a shaft in any desired rotarydirection, comprising a plurality of solenoids, switch control means forselectively operating said solenoids, an electrical circuit inconnection with said switch control means and the solenoids, atransformer in connection with said circuit adapted to impartoscillations to the solenoids, geared means operable upon energizationof said solenoids, normally closed contact means in electricalconnection with the geared means, indicator means in connection with thegeared means whereby said geared means after having reached its limit ofmovement will open said contact means, a resistor in said electricalcircuit for said indicator means, a rectifier in said circuitinterconnecting said resistor and switch control means adapted to impartpulsating D. C. oscillations to either of said solenoids whereby uponactuation of said switch control means the type of impulses delivered tosaid geared means from the solenoid may be selectively changed fromrapid short impulses to slow long impulses and vice versa.

10. An electrically operable shaft actuator, comprising a shaft, gearmeans on said shaft, a geared shaft in connection with said gear means,a tensionable clutch mounted on said geared shaft for gripping the same,a plurality of solenoids, armature means energizable by either of saidsolenoids, drive means on said armature adjacent said clutch fortensioning said clutch when said armature means is oscillated by eitherof said solenoids thereby supplying torque to said geared shaft, a stopmember adjacent said clutch adapted to impede the movement of saidclutch when actuated by said armature means, a brake member around saidgeared shaft to prevent return movement of the same, and an electricalcircuit in connection with said solenoids adapted to energize either oneto produce desired directional rotary rotation of said shaft.

11. An electrically operable shaft actuator comprising a shaft, gearmeans on said shaft, a geared shaft in connection with said gear means,limiting means on said gear means adapted to signal the limit ofrotational movement of said shaft, a spring clutch surrounding part ofsaid geared shaft, a plurality of solenoids, core means energizable byeither of said solenoids, spaced drive means on said core adjacent saidclutch selectively adapted to tension said clutch to apply torque to thegeared shaft when said core means is energized and oscillated, a stopmember adjacent said clutch adapted to impede the movement of saidclutch when actuated by said core means, detent means around the gearedshaft to prevent return movement of the same, and an electrical circuitin connection with said solenoids adapted to energize either one toproduce desired directional rotary rotation of said shaft.

12. An electrically operable shaft actuator comprising a shaft, gearmeans on said shaft, a geared shaft in connection with said gear means,limiting means on said gear means adapted to signal the limit ofrotational movement of said shaft, a spring clutch wound around saidgeared shaft for applying torque thereto, a plurality of solenoids, coremeans energizable by either of said solenoids, spaced means on said corelimiting said clutch adapted to actuate the clutch when said core meansis energized and oscillated, a stop member adjacent said clutch adaptedto impede the movement of said clutch when actuated by said core means,spring tensioned stop means abutting one end of said geared shaft toretain the same in longitudinal position, a brake member around thegeared shaft to prevent return movement of the same, and an electricalcircuit in connection with said solenoids adapted to energize either oneto produce desired directional rotary rotation of said shaft.

13. In an electrically operable device according to claim 12, anelectrical circuit comprising a plurality of solenoids, energizablemeans in said solenoids adapted to rotate geared means in any desiredrotational direction, said geared means having a pin thereon, controlmeans in said circuit adapted to energize either of said solenoids so asto produce desired rotational movement in said gear, transformer meansin connection with said circuit whereby the solenoids can be oscillatedby a series of short impulses, rectifier means in said circuit adaptedupon actuation to produce a series of relatively slow impulses, andindicator means in said circuit adapted to show the limit of movement ofsaid gear means.

14. In combination, an electric motor comprising a base, a rotatableshaft mounted upon said base, a solenoid mounted upon said base, aspring clutch mounted upon said shaft, a spring member on said base, anarmature actuatable by the solenoid, one end of said armature beingengageable with one end of said spring clutch, and with the springmember on said base, electrical means for vibrating said armature whencurrent is passed through the solenoid causing said armature to vibrateand impart one way short impulses to the spring clutch thereby causingsaid shaft to rotate, and detent means for said shaft to brake the same.

15. In combination, an electric motor comprising a base, a pair ofsolenoids mounted on said base, an armature extending from one solenoidto the other, a shaft mounted on the base, a spring clutch mounted onsaid shaft, said spring clutch being so mounted that one end of itengages a pin when one solenoid pulls the armature in one direction, andthe other end engages another pin on the armature when the othersolenoid pulls the armature in the other direction, a spring mounted onthe base so as to engage either end of the spring clutch that is beingengaged by the pin so that when alternating or pulsating current ispassed through the solenoid it vibrates the armature against the spring,through the spring clutch, imparting short, fast, unidirectionalimpulses to the shaft causing it to rotate in one direction when onesolenoid is turned on, and in the other direction when the othersolenoid is turned on.

16. In combination, an electric motor comprising a base, a pair ofsolenoids mounted on said base, an armature extending from one solenoidto the other, a shaft mounted on the base, a spring clutch mounted onsaid shaft, said spring clutch being so mounted that one end of itengages a pin when one solenoid pulls the armature in one direction, andthe other end engages another pin on the armature when the othersolenoid pulls the armature in the other direction, a spring mounted onthe base so as to engage either end of the spring clutch that is notbeing engaged by the pin so that when alternating or pulsating currentis passed through the solenoid it vibrates the armature against thespring, through the spring clutch, imparting short, fast, unidirectionalimpulses to the shaft causing it to rotate in one direction when onesolenoid is turned on, and in the other direction when the othersolenoid is turned on, means for reducing the speed of the motor, andmeans for connecting the shaft of the motor to a mast to rotate thesame.

17. In an electrical device, a support, a spring secured 'to thesupport, a rotatable element, an armature, a reversible overrunningclutch engaged between .the spring and armature, electro-magnetic meansto cause the armature and spring to vibrate the over-running clutch soas to impart short, fast, uni-directional impulses to the rotatableelement, and move it, detent means for said shaft to prevent returnmovement of said shaft when not rotated, and electro-magnetic means forshifting the over-running clutch to determine the direction of rotationof the rotat able element.

18. In a clutch device, a rotatable element, a tensionable armature, anoscillating gripping element actuated by said armature adapted tointermittently engage said rotatable element and rotate the same by aseries of short rapid continuous impulses, spring means engaging theoscillating element, and electro-magnetic shifting means for causing theoscillating element to impart selective continuous uni-directionalimpulses to the rotatable element.

19. In combination, an electric motor comprising a base, a rotatableshaft mounted upon said base, a solenoid mounted upon said base, anover-running clutch mounted upon said shaft, a resilient member on saidbase, an armature actuatable by the solenoid, one end of said armaturebeing engageable with one end of said overrunning clutch, and with thespring member on said base, electrical means for vibrating said armaturewhen current is passed through the solenoid causing said armature tovibrate and impart one way short impulses to the spring clutch therebycausing said shaft to rotate, and detent means for said shaft to brakethe same.

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